Visit our Labyrinth

The Labyrinth at Hospice in the Weald is nestled in our beautiful gardens overlooking neighbouring orchards and is available for all to use as they wish.

Labyrinths date back at least 4000 years. In more recent times they are being built all over the world as organisations, both sacred and secular - including hospices - are rediscovering their potential for spiritual inspiration. Many people find walking a labyrinth a meaningful way to find peace, calm and inner strength and this is our hope for you too.

With its classical seven-circuit design the Hospice Labyrinth has one path that winds into the centre and then out again and is wide enough for wheelchairs. Following the path as a meditative walk can help to bring body, mind, heart and spirit in harmony as you breathe in the air around you. It can be a beautiful way to connect with nature and can be a metaphor for our journey through life with its beginning, middle and end.

How to walk the Labyrinth

You are welcome to walk the Labyrinth as you like but these guidelines may be helpful.

Reflect
First pause at the entrance and take a quiet few moments before you begin to reflect on what you would like to receive from this experience. You may have a desire, or a concern, or a question for your life. The following are examples only of reflections you may wish to make:

I wanttofindstrengthtogetthroughthisdifficulttime

I amanxiousaboutmyfriendand I wishpeaceforher

Whatmeaningcan I findinmylifenow?

Release
When you are ready to begin, offer whatever is in your heart and think of the first part of the walk as releasing this concern/desire/question.

Receive
When you reach the centre it can be helpful to pause for some moments - for as long as feels right - and imagine receiving whatever it is you long for. Open your heart to the possibility of this being offered and see if you can be receptive. It is not that “magic” happens but on a deeper level many are surprised at the effect of this process over time.

Return
When you are ready, begin your return journey, again simply following the path as you wish. As you come to the end and leave the exit of the labyrinth take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and look around you again. You may want to reflect on the experience as you may feel differently to how you began.

“ I started off very uptight. Walking slowly helped me find calm and balance”

“It has helped me find perspective on my life and all that’s happening for me at the moment”

“It was beautifully relaxing and inspiring to feel close to nature “

A brief history of labyrinths

The history of labyrinths is long and complex, with evidence of labyrinths emerging from a number of different cultures over centuries. The classical design of the labyrinth has been found on ancient pottery parchments, clay tablets, coins and rocks in South America, the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. In the Middle Ages a significant development took place and a notable design was built into the floor of the nave of some European cathedrals - most famously the one at Chartres in France.

After walking the Labyrinth you may wish to share your experience with another. Please feel free to speak to any member of Hospice in the Weald staff.